What is the English translation of "prêt-à-porter"?

The term "prêt-à-porter" is a French phrase that directly translates to "ready to wear" in English. This concept refers to clothing that is mass-produced in standard sizes, as opposed to made-to-measure garments tailored for individual clients. Prêt-à-porter collections are designed for the consumer market and are intended to be sold in retail stores, allowing a broader audience to access fashionable items. This makes fashion more accessible compared to haute couture, which involves highly customized and labor-intensive creations. The term embodies the essence of modern fashion retail, where convenience and style come together to meet customer demands.

In contrast, "ready to ship" implies items are packaged and prepared for immediate delivery, which does not capture the broader concept of fashion as "ready to wear" does. "Custom fit" involves personalized tailoring and adjustments specific to an individual, which is not aligned with the prêt-à-porter idea of standardized sizing. "High fashion" often refers to exclusive designer items that may not be readily available to the average consumer, further distinguishing it from the accessibility of prêt-à-porter lines.